While Republicans aren’t very popular now, Americans are undecided on whether or not to hand over the reins to another Democrat. Obama’s signature resume points — healthcare reform, expanding civil surveillance, clamping down on whistleblowers, a confused foreign policy and an unaccountable drone program — are not popular.

If Hillary is as smart and canny a political operative as many say she is, she’ll find a way to be the pendulum candidate, while still running as a Democrat.

She will, of course, have to defend Obama. But in her messaging she should, without saying it outright, be everything Obama was not in 2008.

If Hillary is as smart and canny a political operative as many say she is, she’ll find a way to be the pendulum candidate, while still running as a Democrat. In her messaging she should, without saying it outright, be everything Obama was not in 2008.